Falconer's Jesses Reviewed on Etsy as 'Cute Bracelet,' Falconry Community in Disbelief

A master falconer who sells handcrafted kangaroo leather jesses on Etsy has been forced to add prominent disclaimers to his listings after a buyer purchased a pair, wore them as bracelets, and left a glowing five-star review praising their 'bohemian chic aesthetic.' The review, posted by user BohoVibes2024, reads: 'Absolutely gorgeous leather bracelet set! Super soft and the button closure is so unique. Wore them to brunch and got SO many compliments. Will definitely order in more colors!' Craftsman and falconer Lucas Bewit discovered the review while checking his shop analytics. 'I stared at it for about five minutes,' Bewit said. 'Then I called my wife. Then I called my falconry mentor. Then I sat in my workshop and questioned the trajectory of my life.' Jesses are strips of leather attached to a raptor's legs that allow the falconer to secure the bird to a glove or perch. They are an essential piece of falconry equipment with a history stretching back to medieval Europe. 'They're for a hawk's legs,' Bewit said. 'They attach to a swivel, which attaches to a leash. The button closure she's describing is a grommet designed to thread through an anklet. It is not a fashion element.' The review has gone viral within the falconry community, where it is being shared with a mixture of horror and delight. Several falconers have begun referring to their equipment as 'bohemian chic' in an act of collective irony. Bewit has updated all 14 of his Etsy listings with the header 'THESE ARE FALCONRY EQUIPMENT — NOT JEWELRY — FOR USE ON BIRDS OF PREY' in bold red text. He has also received three additional orders from buyers who appear to be purchasing them as bracelets. 'I can't stop them,' Bewit said. 'I've added the disclaimer. I've included a diagram of a hawk. The people want bracelets.'